Haze Machine

[Steve Hart]

Hiya All,
One of my residencies have said that I cant use my good old smoke machine anymore. My friend uses a haze machine where he works and says that it does not trigger the smoke alarms and also the club doesnt notice it as it is not quite as harsh as smoke... Can anyone give me any further info and if you use one. Anyone got any video links or recommend a haze machine.. Thanks

[Corabar Steve]

There are loads of threads on this very subject.

Try using the search facility.

[Steve Hart]

I've searched the previous and found it very useful. Could I use my smoke machine fluid just by watering it down?

[Tom]

I dont think that will work.

Why not buy light smoke fluid???

[Steve Hart]

Do you mean light smoke fluid for hazer

[JAMdisco]

Why not try ot out at home first - I don't think you can damage it by mixing water & fluid. I think (from previous threads) it has to be de-ionized water though - the sort you get for old car batteries.

[Corabar Steve]

Don't under any circumstances add tap water to a smoke machine.

[Vectis]

Not quite sure what's being asked...

a) Are you asking whether haze fluid/watered-down smoke fluid can be used in your smoke machine to give a haze effect...

b) Or are you asking whether you can use your old smoke fluid (neat or dilute) in a haze machine to avoid wastage... ?


a) will probably work to some degree but it's still a smoke machine

b) why? 5L of decent-ish haze fluid can be had for £10. I use mine at virtually every gig and go through about 5L a year - much less than my old smoke machine used to.

I use the Zoom Hydrahaze ... perfect for most venues. 18 months use and not a glitch. For very large venues I'll add a desk fan behind the machine just to help it disperse better rather then come out in clouds and then settle gradually (you need the volume to fill the room).

[Steve Hart]

Cheers for the advice. Ill get a hazer with haze fluid lol, thanks again

[Sam]

Not quite sure what's being asked...

a) Are you asking whether haze fluid/watered-down smoke fluid can be used in your smoke machine to give a haze effect...

b) Or are you asking whether you can use your old smoke fluid (neat or dilute) in a haze machine to avoid wastage... ?


a) will probably work to some degree but it's still a smoke machine

b) why? 5L of decent-ish haze fluid can be had for £10. I use mine at virtually every gig and go through about 5L a year - much less than my old smoke machine used to.

I use the Zoom Hydrahaze ... perfect for most venues. 18 months use and not a glitch. For very large venues I'll add a desk fan behind the machine just to help it disperse better rather then come out in clouds and then settle gradually (you need the volume to fill the room).

Vectis..
|Not entirely sure about using water down smoke fluid / haze fluid in a smoke machine... your meant to use the 'proper' stuff... otherwise your at risk of damaging it.
Also as you said it is still a smoke machine - the 'mechanics' are different.


Also like vectis said.. I would strongly suggest NOT using smoke fluid in a haze machine.. or the other way around. You are at risk of damaging your kit. Also.. don't worry about wastage.. some events may want some Smoke still.. maybe halowean? You can always rig it up so there is a puff of smoke coming out of a cauldron:rolleyes:


Also another point to remember is you are meant to rinse them out.. i think Monthly? with distilled water.

[Corabar Steve]

I've had it from the horses mouth so to speak, as long as it's deionized / distilled then it's fine. It's part of the mix for cleaning (along with white vinegar) after all.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Yep, I've been told that too.

[Corabar Steve]

Glad I wasn't imagining things then :sj:

[sleah]

Also be careful messing with fluids. There is a risk of pumping out toxic gasses if you don't use the correct fluid at the correct temperature.
It's a very slights risk I think, and is more a issue if you mess with the temperature of the machine, which is unlikely.
However- if you had a fluid that 'hazed' at a low temperature and put it in a machine that ran at a higher temperature then it could get nasty.

I've been using fog/haze for 20 years now and only recently found that out:eek:

It's best to just stick to manufacturers instructions and not mess with fluid.:)

Oh, haze machines can set off smoke alarms, it's just some detectors are more sensitive than others.
Modern systems seem to have stoopidly sensitive detectors these days:(

If it's going to be a regular venue, ask if you can do a test when it's quiet or closed. They may need to inform the fire brigade if it has auto-dial.

[JAMdisco]

So putting mustard gas in my smoke machine wasn't a good idea - wondered why my regulars were'nt there anymore (or maybe it's the music)

[soundtracker]

My Haze machine has set off smoke alarms in a couple of places - so don't get lulled into a sense of false security!

[mr rusty]

we don't use haze/smoke, as can't be bothered with the potential hassle, but at a gig recently the client brought out a birthday cake with those indoor sparklers on. Created perfect smoke that hung around for about 2 1/2 hours!! Somehow got away without setting the alarm off!

[Sam]

we don't use haze/smoke, as can't be bothered with the potential hassle, but at a gig recently the client brought out a birthday cake with those indoor sparklers on. Created perfect smoke that hung around for about 2 1/2 hours!! Somehow got away without setting the alarm off!

I try to use something when i can. It enhances the effect a lot.
Altough the older gen are not so bothered about the light show i'm sure... for something like an 18th it is nice to be able to make it look stunning.

Also love using it so that the beams of the movers stand out nicely.. which really does give the wow factor.

If you see a grumpy DJ Sam.. it means i'm either not being payed enough or I can't use smoke lol

[Royalblue]

I try to use something when i can. It enhances the effect a lot.
Altough the older gen are not so bothered about the light show i'm sure... for something like an 18th it is nice to be able to make it look stunning.

Also love using it so that the beams of the movers stand out nicely.. which really does give the wow factor.

If you see a grumpy DJ Sam.. it means i'm either not being payed enough or I can't use smoke lol

Totally agree, I hate not being able to use smoke. I did however, try using the Acme light haze fluid. Total rubbish! Went through about 3 times as much fluid as normal for virtually zero effect. The idea of invisible smoke that caught the lights was appealing but it was invisible smoke that didn't catch the lights. I now use the medium haze and find that about right.